Short Summary

United States black militant Angela Davis, accused of being involved in a fatal court-house kidnapping and shooting in California in 1970, has claimed her release from jail on bail as "a victory for the people".

Description

TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 3: MISS DAVIS: "What I would like to say is that if it was possible at this very moment, I'd like to be meeting with all of the beautiful people who have struggled so hard and persistently and intently for my freedom. I'd like to meet with them personally and tell them how deeply grateful I am for all the sacrifices they have made over these long, long months in order for me to be released on bail. Unfortunately, because of a few restrictions in the bail order, I just can't do that, so I'm going to have to attempt to reach all of the struggling sisters and brothers in this way.

"The bail order says, of course, I can't attend any kind of public gathering where there might be any kind of incident.

"This, of course, has been a true victory for people who are struggling everywhere. It's a victory in the sense that the abolition of capital punishment is very closely related to all of the struggles that have been conducted around the prisons of the last year. It's related to the murder of George Jackson and to the massacre at Attica. This has been a victory for the people not only in the sense that I am out on bail, but it means that the legal apparatus can no longer hold political prisoners in prison for long months prior to trial and attempt by isolating them, and in many other ways, to break their will to fight. It's a victory, of course but larger victory, even in my own case, has yet to be attained, It's a victory in the sense that in honesty to all of us who are truly and sincerely interested in seeing justice prevail in this country, it ought to teach us that we have to intensify our efforts to free all political prisoners.

We have to intensify our efforts to free the Soleded Brothers. To free the San Quentin Six. Juan Wells." (Phenetic spelling.)

"I could go on and on because there are many, many thousands of sisters and brothers all over this country who are forced to live their lives behind concrete and steel. We have to free all of our brothers and sisters.

Thank you very much." (Applause)

Initials OS/1540 OS1544

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: United States black militant Angela Davis, accused of being involved in a fatal court-house kidnapping and shooting in California in 1970, has claimed her release from jail on bail as "a victory for the people". Speaking at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday (February 24), she said she considered herself a political prisoner, as she had been held without bail for sixteen months pending trial -- which was due to begin on Monday (February 28).

She looked forward to a "larger victory" by being acquitted, she told newsmen.

This film shows Miss Davis speaking at the conference shortly after being released on bail of nearly GBP40,000 (sterling) following abolition of the death penalty in California. Under the law, prisoners held on capital charges -- like Miss Davis -- could not be granted bail.